What Should I Wear for Paintball?

Paintball is a fun way to get your friends together for a thrilling outdoor game experience, but a successful outing requires some specialized gear and clothing. While players can get a good look at what to wear by browsing the local field's gear shop, we'll break down the basics so you know what to expect.

Goggles

Before you even think about what to put on your body in order to play safely, you must consider eye protection. When deciding on the proper eye protection, look for goggles that are designed specifically for paintball. You want a pair of paintball goggles that are ASTM and CE Approved and fit properly.

Mask

Most paintball goggles will also provide a face mask for protection from the paintballs, generally around the areas of your face, neck and throat. Make sure the mask is comfortable with a good seal around your eyes and can handle the paintball game environment.

Upper Body Protection

When considering protection for your upper body, you have two primary categories to consider: paintball jerseys and paintball body armor. Paintball jerseys are designed to be lightweight and protect players against direct impacts. Paintball body armor is designed to help reduce the impact of shots to areas of the body.

Lower Body Protection

You should also consider protection for your lower body while participating in a paintball game. Paintball pants, or combat trousers, are designed to help reduce paintball bruises and make it easier for you to move quickly and safely.

Footwear

Picking the right footwear can make all the difference in a paintball game. Shoes that provide good protection and traction are recommended. Look for something that provides a good grip and a durable sole, as this will help protect you from scrapes and cuts.

Gloves

You may also want to consider a pair of paintball gloves. Gloves help protect your hands and arms from the impact of the paintballs, as well as provide some grip on the gun. Make sure you buy a pair that fits properly so you can still move around freely.

Clothing

Underneath the specialized gear, you want to wear comfortable clothes that won't impede your movement or add too much weight. A long-sleeve shirt and long pants is the typical outfit, as they can help protect against stray paintballs.

Other Accessories

Finally, there may be some accessories that you want to consider. Extra paintballs, a squeegee to clean your clothing after the game, and a barrel cover are all helpful pieces of equipment.

In Summary

Despite the wide selection of gear for paintball, you only need a few essential items. Goggles, a face mask, upper and lower body protection, shoes, gloves and comfortable clothing are all necessary. As long as you have these pieces of gear, you should be ready to play.